Trackhouse Racing prodigy Connor Zilisch is set to make his NASCAR Cup Series debut in 2025. Before that, he will take part in his first full-time Xfinity season with JR Motorsports. To prepare for this monumental season ahead, Connor joined his teammate Shane van Gisbergen to participate in the Rolex 24 event. Competing for Trackhouse Racing, Zilisch delivered moments of brilliance.

But motorsport isn’t just about triumphs—it’s about heartbreak too. For Zilisch, that heartbreak came in the last hour of the race. Running third in the race, he had a spin which ended his podium hopes. Notably, his car spun while exiting the International Horseshoe, costing the team a drive-through penalty. Despite the setback, the 18-year-old driver gave a blunt verdict on his upcoming NASCAR debut.

Connor Zilisch continues to shine!

Connor Zilisch is set to live his lifelong dream of racing in the NASCAR Cup Series at just 18 years old. While many young drivers might feel overwhelmed by such an opportunity, Zilisch remains grounded. After a huge setback at Rolex 24, Zilisch remains optimistic about his NASCAR debut.

When asked about the impact of such a setback, Zilisch revealed that he treats every race the same. In a conversation with Fox Sports’ Bob Pockrass, he said, “I prepare for every race the same no matter what I’m doing in the future or what my expectations are, I’m going to keep doing my thing.”

This mindset is no surprise, given Zilisch’s history of excelling under pressure. Despite the spin at Rolex 24, his performance was nothing sort of extraordinary. At one point, Zilisch’s car surged from seventh to third place, overtaking both factory Corvettes and other competitive cars. However, it wasn’t the first time Zilisch had shown resilience.

In 2024, Zilisch set a qualifying record in the Truck Series at the Circuit of The Americas. Soon he went on to win his debut Xfinity Series race at Watkins Glen. Notably, his road course racing skills are already regarded as some of the best in NASCAR. His impressive performances gave Trackhouse confidence in promoting him to the top-tier series.

However, for Zilisch, the Cup Series debut marks a surreal milestone. He shared his excitement, and said, “It’s going to be crazy living out a lifelong dream of competing at the highest level of motorsports. To do it at 18 years old is surreal. I’m super thankful to Justin, Trackhouse, and Red Bull for coming back to NASCAR and making it happen.”

Notably, Zilisch will make his Cup series debut at the Circuit of The Americas (COTA) in March 2025. He will drive the No.87 Chevy for Trackhouse racing. It’s worth noting that this opportunity comes after Zilisch’s iconic performances. Apart from his NASCAR success, in 2024, Zilisch went on to win the prestigious Rolex 24 at Daytona in the LMP2 class.

This victory was followed by a win at the 12 Hours of Sebring. Apart from these, he also won five out of eight ARCA races he participated. Going into the 2025 season, expectations will be high from the teenager. Trackhouse Racing might not expect him to win a Cup race this year but would hope for strong top-10 finishes. The buzz surrounding Zilisch’s debut is only amplified by the news of Red Bull’s return to NASCAR.

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Red Bull makes a much-awaited comeback!

After 14 years of hiatus energy drink brand Red Bull is set to make a comeback in the NASCAR world. Red Bull has decided to sponsor both Connor Zilisch and Shane van Gisbergen in the upcoming season. Zilisch will race the No. 87 Chevy with Red Bull’s colors at COTA, while van Gisbergen will carry the brand’s logo for five races throughout the season.

The 18-year-old driver admitted to being surprised when Red Bull handed him his branded helmet and hat last summer. “I was doubly surprised when they told me I would make my Cup debut in the No. 87,” Zilisch said in a statement. It’s worth noting that Zilisch signed up for the Red Bull athlete program only in 2024.

Apart from him, the partnership marks a full-circle moment for Shane van Gisbergen as well. Notably, the Kiwi driver had a long-standing partnership with Red Bull. He has won his three Supercars championships with Red Bull and Triple 8 squad. Gisbergen also expressed his excitement, saying that he would love to win for Red Bull. “It’s nice to be joined by Red Bull, who has been a big supporter of mine for many years back home. I’d love nothing more than to give Red Bull a victory as a way to thank them for joining myself, Connor, and Trackhouse Racing,” Gisbergen said in a statement.

SVG will be sponsored by the Milton-Keynes outfit in Las Vegas, Sonoma, Iowa, Daytona, and Kansas. If SVG wants to give Red Bull their first win back in NASCAR, his best chance is at Sonoma. The road course specialist will look to terrorize the grid with his sublime road racing skills, just like he did during his debut race at Chicago Street in 2023 to take the win.

Notably, Red Bull has been involved in NASCAR as a full-time team between 2006 to 2011. They started as a Dodge team in 2006 before switching to Toyota in 2007. It also marked Dodge’s final assignment in NASCAR. However, in 2011, Red Bull sold their charters to BK Racing and exited the sport. With a rising star and a seasoned Supercar veteran making his full-time Cup Series debut, Red Bull is poised for a grand comeback.